Social & Emotional Issues

Issues

Asynchronous development

Asynchrony means “out of sync” and refers to a difference between a child’s mental age and chronological age. This difference can lead to many social and emotional complications. Academic Asynchrony is when students excel far beyond grade level in their area of giftedness, or in one facet of one area, but not in all areas.This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity.-Asynchrony increases as IQ increases. The farther removed the child is from the average in intelligence, the more pressing his or her adjustment problems become. The most difficult time period for gifted students due to their asynchronous development is ages 4-9. This is when their asynchrony with their age-level peers is most obvious.

Over-excitabilities

To a gifted child it is intensely frustrating when one’s awareness outstrips one’s emotional control. Some behaviors intensified by this are anxiety, sensitivity, frustration, depression, and possibly perfectionism. Dabrowski, a Polish psychologist, identified five areas of excitability in gifted students.

Psychomotor is indicative of a surplus of energy.

Sensual has a heightened awareness of all five senses.

Intellectual focuses on activities of the mind, thoughts, and thinking.

Imagination is an intensity of creative imaginary free play

Emotional has exceptionally emotional sensitivity.

Perfectionism

A combination of thoughts and behaviors generally associated with high standards or expectations for one’s own performance

Possible behaviors to signal perfectionism in your student:

Procrastinates

Isolates oneself

Highly critical of self and others

Controlling

Poor time management skills

Calls him/herself stupid

Worries

Hides sense of humor

Tries to please

Student's can cope by...

Monitoring expectations

Being aware of own anxiety level

Setting realistic goals

Receiving guidance regarding potential anxiety

You can help your students by…

Giving praise for efforts and determination

Helping them set realistic goals

Teaching them to take pleasure in accomplishments

Seeing setbacks as learning opportunities

Helping them focus on a passion or creative achievement

Encouraging them to be aware of their anxiety level

“A combination of challenge and realistic expectations allows students to experience intellectual challenge as a positive learning experience rather than something to be avoided.”